A PENSIONER thrown across her kitchen by an intruder died days later as a direct result of a broken hip.

Retired dinner lady Phyllis Mayoh, 88, was washing up when she saw a man in her lounge and tried to grab the phone.

The intruder threw her across the room and on to her bed, which she had there because she had a back problem.

Mrs Mayoh, of Rosamund Street, Bolton, died three days later following surgery. The man has not been caught.

An inquest recorded a verdict of unlawful killing after pathologist Dr Charles Wilson confirmed the attack caused her death.

He said: "She had underlying heart disease and possibly suffered a heart attack during surgery. But had it not been for the attack, she would certainly not have died at that time and in those circumstances."

Widowed Mrs Mayoh had been to church on the morning of the attack in April. Her son Roy said: "Her habit was to leave her front door open. I used to nag her but she refused to live under a siege mentality."

Det Chief Iinsp Andy Durkin, of Bolton police, said: "I am convinced that whoever did this has confided in someone. That person is almost as bad as he is for not coming forward."

Coroner Jennifer Leeming said: "The person who did this was inhuman and despicable."